Public safety open house set for Oct. 1

The City of Naperville invites all residents to participate in the annual Public Safety Open House taking place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1 at Naperville's Public Safety Campus, located at 1380 Aurora Ave.

This popular event will feature a variety of activities for all ages, including hands-on fire extinguisher training, fire and crime prevention information, evidence collection demonstrations and appearances by Sparky the Fire Dog and McGruff the Crime Dog. New this year is a photo booth, arson investigation table and the chance for licensed drivers to wear “fatal vision goggles” while maneuvering a golf cart through a short driving course. Participants wearing the goggles experience the impairments associated with alcohol and/or drug consumption, including balance, vision, reaction time and judgment. Wearing the goggles while driving the golf cart demonstrates how these impairments negatively affect an individual's ability to drive.

A large display of fire and police vehicles and equipment will also be on site. Special events include a simulated DUI arrest and auto extrication, a Superior Air Med Helicopter exercise at 11:45 a.m. and the Naperville Fire Department's flashover fire demonstration at 12:30 p.m.

Activities geared toward children include a hands-on Firefighter Challenge in which participants have the opportunity to squirt a real fire hose and a Police Challenge in which attendees catch and jail a criminal. Teenagers will also have the opportunity to experience the AAA Distracted Driving Simulator, which educates new and future drivers about the dangers of texting and driving.

“The purpose of this event is to disseminate important crime and fire prevention information to residents and encourage action regarding crime and fire prevention strategies,” Community Relations Manager Nadja Lalvani said. “Residents are the best defense against fire and crime, and the City wants to spread the message that residents must “Prepare, Practice and Prevent” in order to keep themselves and their families safe.”

For more information on the Public Safety Open House, visit www.naperville.il.us/publicsafetymonth.aspx. For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us. Sign up to receive the latest news on the City of Naperville's projects and initiatives via e-mail at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx.